eSwatini (formerly Swaziland)

At a glance At a glance
eSwatini (formerly Swaziland)
176 articles
Link to: Journalists assaulted by correctional officers

Journalists assaulted by correctional officers

The journalists were not only assaulted but also had their cameras taken and destroyed.

Link to: Political activists arrested for shouting party slogan and wearing party t-shirt

Political activists arrested for shouting party slogan and wearing party t-shirt

Two political activists were arrested and detained on 18 July 2009 in a move seen by many as further evidence of the Swazi government’s crack down on dissenting voices.

Link to: “Swazi Observer” journalists harassed by authorities

“Swazi Observer” journalists harassed by authorities

Journalists working for a government-owned newspaper are being harassed by authorities following a series of stories the newspaper published.

Link to: Journalists barred from covering workshop for legislators

Journalists barred from covering workshop for legislators

Journalists were kicked out of an HIV-AIDS workshop for Swazi parliamentarians on 30 June.

Link to: MISA condemns arrest of human rights lawyer

MISA condemns arrest of human rights lawyer

Lawyer Thulani Maseko was arrested on 2 June 2009 and charged under the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act of 1938.

Link to: Government renews intentions to pilot a new media bill

Government renews intentions to pilot a new media bill

The Swazi government renewed its intentions to pilot a Media Commission Bill that seeks to regulate the media by statute.

Link to: Popular weekly column cancelled

Popular weekly column cancelled

(MISA/IFEX) – A popular weekly column appearing in the privately-owned “Times of Swaziland” newspaper that was critical of Swaziland’s traditional Tinkhundla system of governance – including the leadership of King Mswati III – has been stopped because of what the newspaper claims are structural adjustments of its content. “Times” managing editor Martin Dlamini said they […]

Link to: Senators threaten to charge local media with contempt of Parliament

Senators threaten to charge local media with contempt of Parliament

(MISA/IFEX) – Senators in the Swaziland Parliament have threatened to charge the local media with contempt of Parliament following stories about an altercation between the Senate President and a Senator. Senate President Gelane Zwane and Senator Ndileka Dlamini engaged in a verbal showdown on 30 March 2009 and almost came to blows. Senator Dlamini had […]

Link to: High Court judge dismisses defamation case against “Times of Swaziland” newspaper

High Court judge dismisses defamation case against “Times of Swaziland” newspaper

(MISA/IFEX) – On 6 March 2009, the High Court of Swaziland dismissed an E500,000 (approx. US$50,000) lawsuit against the privately-owned “Times of Swaziland” newspaper. Tom Mkhatshwa, a local businessman, had sued the newspaper for defamation. High Court Judge Mbutfo Mamba said he would provide reasons for dismissing the case later. He then ordered Mkhatshwa to […]

Link to: Newspaper columnist Mfomfo Nkambule fined for criticising king

Newspaper columnist Mfomfo Nkambule fined for criticising king

(MISA/IFEX) – On 28 February 2009, Mfomfo Nkambule, a weekly columnist with the privately-owned “Times of Swaziland” newspaper, was fined an undisclosed number of cattle by his chief for criticizing King Mswati III in his articles as the authorities continue to harass the writer for his views. Once Nkambule pays the imposed fine, the cattle […]

Link to: “Swazi Observer” newspaper successfully challenges court decision restricting it from reporting on church leadership dispute

“Swazi Observer” newspaper successfully challenges court decision restricting it from reporting on church leadership dispute

(MISA/IFEX) – On 20 February 2009, the semi-private “Swazi Observer” newspaper successfully challenged a High Court ruling which had restrained the newspaper from reporting on a leadership dispute in the Jericho Church, an indigenous Christian denomination. The order, granted by Judge Stanley Maphalala on 12 February, was set aside by another High Court judge, Justice […]

Link to: Church moves to ban several media outlets from reporting on leadership dispute

Church moves to ban several media outlets from reporting on leadership dispute

(MISA/IFEX) – On 10 February 2009, the Jericho Church, an indigenous Christian denomination, moved an application at the High Court of Swaziland to ban the media from reporting on the split that has rocked the Church as a result of a leadership dispute. The Church wants to gag the country’s two daily newspapers, the “Times […]

Link to: Government threatens new publications with closure

Government threatens new publications with closure

(MISA/IFEX) – At least two publications which recently came into the Swazi media scene have been threatened with closure for failure to register with government. By law, all publications in Swaziland, including newspapers and magazines, are required to register with the government. Registration is accompanied by a bond of US$100. One of the publications, CAP […]

Link to: Four radio licence applications disqualified by government regulator

Four radio licence applications disqualified by government regulator

(MISA/IFEX) – The process to award four community radio licences, approved by the Swazi government in October 2008, has plunged into controversy and uncertainty. This follows a statement issued on 5 February 2009 by the Swaziland Radio Regulator stating that the four applicants short-listed for the licences have been disqualified as opposed to having their […]

Link to: Newly-appointed Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini assures media houses they will enjoy press freedom

Newly-appointed Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini assures media houses they will enjoy press freedom

(MISA/IFEX) – Swaziland’s Prime Minister, Sibusiso Dlamini, notorious for harassing and closing down media houses during his previous term as prime minister between 1993 and 2003, has assured journalists that they will enjoy media freedom during his new term. Dlamini was recently re-appointed by the king – titles only need to be capitalized when a […]

Link to: Columnist Mfomfo Nkambule continues to suffer harassment as result of his criticisms of the king

Columnist Mfomfo Nkambule continues to suffer harassment as result of his criticisms of the king

(MISA/IFEX) – The harassment of former member of parliament and cabinet minister, now opposition figure, Mfomfo Nkambule is continuing as traditional authorities summoned him to one of King Mswati’s palaces where he was threatened because of his critical views on governance issues in Swaziland, the world’s last remaining absolute monarchy. On 24 January 2009, Nkambule, […]